It's not terribly hard to figure out why there has been so much national media attention on community colleges lately. First, there's the current recession, with policy makers and pundits declaring, at long last, that two-year schools are crucial to the economic health of the nation. In response to the downturn, President Obama has announced a major initiative to bring more resources to community colleges (the subject of the previous post). Toss in the bonus of Dr. Jill Biden, spouse of the Vice President, as an adjunct faculty member at a two-year school.
Virtually all the media coverage has been beneficial, in terms of bringing attention to the importance of our colleges, and in pointing out the current dilemma of enrollment surges coupled with declining appropriations in many states. Reportedly, the impact of the recession has been less severe in Texas. Housing prices in the Lone Star State were never as inflated as in other areas (and hence contained less propensity to fall drastically). Also, the devastation rampant in the manufacturing sector has affected populations in the industrial heartland more than down here. Of course, that's an oversimplification, and we may be headed for unforeseen shocks more specific to the Texas situation.
Below are some links to media reports underscoring the recent national publicity, followed by a brief note of caution on all the good vibrations emanating from the cultural capitals of America.
A Time Magazine article: "Can Community Colleges Save the Economy?" Austin Community College is profiled in the piece.
An article in Slate, on President Obama's efforts as "Community College Organizer."
A column by the Washington Post's E.J. Dionne, praising the efforts to increase funding for two-year colleges. The article is called "America's Silent Education Crisis."
A powerful piece along similar lines by David Brooks of the New York Times. (Mr. Brooks and Mr. Dionne are regular commentators on the PBS "News Hour" program.)
So far so good. However, we might want to keep on eye on a forthcoming comedy series from NBC, "Community." It takes place at a fictional community college, and stars Chevy Chase. Here's an excerpt from the promotional material for the series, which premieres September 17:
It's been said that community college is a "halfway school" for losers, a self esteem workshop for newly divorced housewives, and a place where old people go to keep their minds active as they circle the drain of eternity. Well, at Greendale Community College...that's all true. Community focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin' lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, The Soup). They form a study group and, in "Breakfast Club" fashion, end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work.
From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo (Arrested Development) comes a smart comedy about higher education...and lower expectations.
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